Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Zambia Federation of Employers has condemned in the strongest terms he continued illegal work stoppage by lecturers at the Copperbelt University.
ZFE President Tyson Chisambo in a statement says the Federation fully supports Higher Education Minister Michael Kaingu’s stance that the Government will not bow down to the brazen demands of the lecturers.
He says the Federation is greatly disappointed that the lecturers and other University staff who are entrusted with mentoring the youth have resorted to attempting to hold the institution and its students at ransom through an illegal go-slow.
Mr Chisambo states that while the Federation appreciates that the employees of the University believe they have the best interests of the institution at heart by seeking “academic excellence”, the means they are deploying are substantially detracting from the genuineness of the ends they seek.
He says by maintaining this illegal course of action, the lecturers and staff who are supposed to inspire the University’s students and the nation at large through responsible and law-abiding behaviour are failing in their duties of mentorship.
Mr Chisambo adds that by maintaining this illegal course of action, they are unjustifiably punishing the students for their dispute with the Management of the institution.
He has since called on the leadership of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions and the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia, as mother bodies of the labour movement in the country to provide the much needed guidance to the University’s workers on this matter.
Mr Chisambo says the lecturer ought to resume work unconditionally and follow the correct procedure for airing their grievances.
He has further urged Government to be firm in dealing with this matter and ensure discipline is restored at the CopperBelt University.